Dara Singh, the wrestler and actor who was in critical condition for the past five days, passed away on Thursday at his home in Mumbai.
"He passed away at 7.30 AM peacefully," Dr Ram Narain, COO of Kokilaben Hospital, told news agency Press Trust of India.
On Saturday, the actor was admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital following a severe cardiac arrest.
However, doctors at the hospital said on Wednesday that Singh's chances of recovering are slim due to extensive brain damage. He was later shifted to his home to be with family members during his last moments.
"He is already home. Please don't follow us. When he breathes his last, I'll let you know. There is no hope," his son Vindu Singh told reporters.
He was rushed to the casualty ward of the hospital on July 7, and since then he was confined to the ICU. At that time, Vindu said that "he is very critical and is on life support system. He is unconscious since the time he was admitted to hospital and he has not spoken to anyone till now."
On Wednesday, several B-town celebrities including director and choreographer Farah Khan, actors Om Puri, Raza Murad and Dharmendra paid a visit to Singh who was unconscious.
Singh was the undisputed champion and defended his title as "The World Champion". He retired from the wrestling arena in 1983.
He started his career in film industry in 1962 and became known for his roles in King Kong and Faulad. He also became famous as "Hanuman" in Ramanand Sagar's mythological television series "Ramayan".
His last movie was Imtiaz Ali's 2007 romantic film "Jab We Met" where he played the character of Kareena Kapoor's grandfather.
Meanwhile, Singh's fans from across the country took to social media to express their grief and offere condolences. R.I.P Dara Singh has become a trending topic on Thursday after the news of his death spread across the social networking web sites. Twitter and Facebook are flooded with posts from his fans and Bollywood celebrities.
Here are some tweets from Bollywood celebs and politicians:
"@taran_adarsh Dara Singh sahab. RIP."
"@iamsrk Wrestlers r made of sweat,determination & a hard to find alloy called guts...most apt for Dara Singhji our very own Superman.Will miss u sir"
"@SrBachchan T 802 - Dara Singh ji passed away this morning. A great Indian and one of the finest humans..An entire era of his celebrated presence gone !"
"@juniorbachchan Dara ji passes away. Had the honour of working with him in Shararat. The most gentle and kind man. Really looked up to him. Will miss him."
"@BajpayeeManojThe symbol of physical strength dara singh ji is no more with us now.maygod bless his soul with peace!"
"@sanjaymanjrekarSad to learn of Dara Singh's passing away..for our generation, strengthmeant 'Dara Singh"
"@kjohar25 RIP DARA SINGH.....have the most heartfelt memories....."
"@AnupamPkherDara Singh ji was LARGER than life but never made anyone feel dwarfedwith his presence. The strongest and the humblest. A Hero All The Way."
"@ayushmannkMy first internship was at Dara studios Mohali for Zee Punjabi during myPanjab University days. The man was full of life. RIP Dara Singh ji"
"@mrrajatkapoor RIP dara singh sahib now hopefully we'll have a retrospective of his films..."
" @SushmaSwarajbjp He was a legend in his life time. Yet he was very simple and humble. May his soul rest in peace."
" @narendramodi From the ring to screen, he won the hearts of generations! Our heartfelt tributes to Rustam-e-Hind Dara Singh. May his soul rest in peace."
Here are some tweets posted by his fans
" @cgiridhar RIP Dara Singh. The best Hanuman ever on screen."
"@nia_RedDevil #RIP Dara Singh Ji! May your soul rest in peace."
"@Sarkaar_Now who will tell everyone to eat boiled eggs everyday! RIP Dara Singh"
"@aarsee RIP Dara Singh: Country mourns legendary wrestler's death"
"@gurmeetmumbai RIP Dara Singh, the first and last HeMan of India"
"@VartikaOffice "RIP Dara Singh" we will miss u...:( My childhood hero"
" @ImARoy12 RIP Dara Singh. You'll be missed."
"@jreshu RIP Dara Singh ! may his soul rest in peace"
"@shobhit_pant India loses its real power RIP DARA SINGH"
"@gypsz13 RIP Dara Singh, Veer Hanuman will live for ever"
